News and Features
Ateneo Offers Smart Course As Elective
[July 3, 2007/ Manila] - One of the popular electives at the School of Science and Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila University is a course developed by the Information Technology (IT) group of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART).
According to Dr. Nathaniel Joseph Libatique, chair of Ateneo de Manila’s Electronics, Communication and Computer Engineering (ECCE) Department, Enterprise Web Application Development drew so many enrollees when it was first offered during the second half of schoolyear 2006-2007 that it was an “oversubscribed” elective.
“This sharing of IT expertise in the telecommunications industry is our means of speeding up the process of producing industry-ready graduates,” said Wilma Cruz, chief information officer and head of Smart’s Information Technology group.
The course offering is part of an agreement between Smart and the Ateneo de Manila to draw on Smart’s IT experience and expertise in offering relevant IT education.
Cruz also turned over 20 computer units, which will be set up at the Smart-PLDT computer lab for the use of those taking the elective.
“This endeavor is an affirmation of our continuing partnership with Smart to use technology in the service of society,” said Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, dean of Ateneo de Manila’s School of Science and Engineering.
Ateneo de Manila is a school partner under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP).
Students taking Enterprise Web Application Development get to work on real-life IT projects in a telco environment. Through interactive lectures and casework, they are taught the rudimentary of systems integration and analysis as well as programming and testing.
“Over and above the donation of equipment, Smart is donating knowledge capital to equip students with our methodology and make them productive on day one as employees,” she said.
Cruz said that the course, which was developed to train new IT employees in Smart, will be continually updated given the rapid developments in the industry. There are also plans to offer the Smart IT elective at another SWEEP school partner -- the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.
Officials of Ateneo de Manila University award a plaque of appreciation to Wilma Cruz, Smart Chief Information Officer and Information Technology Group Head, during the turnover of 20 computer units at the Smart-PLDT computer lab. The computer donation falls under an agreement to integrate a Smart IT course in the curriculum. Also in photo are (from left) Ateneo de Manila University School of Science and Engineering Dean Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit and Vice President for the Loyola Schools Dr. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng and Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto.
